Knutsford Musical Theatre Company pulled out all the stops and created a bit of Dickens Magic with some quirky touches to your average stage production of the show. Director Ben Ireson brought a creative eye to the production bringing a slightly different but fresh approach and under superb Musical Direction by Nick Montague.

In the title role, young Toby Abbott had bags of energy and personality yet maintained that sweet and innocent presence throughout. His song “Where is Love” lived up to all expectations. The Artful Dodger played by Joseph Sant applied even more enthusiasm making them a great double act.

The Workhouse Children and Fagins Gang were superb. They all worked brilliantly together, reacting in the right places and to each other creating some great theatre – well done. The only criticism I had was that your faces were too muddy, hiding some of your wonderful expressions. (the dirt needed to be a gradual build rather than smears)

Fagin played by Arthur Hulse portrayed the self confessed old miser with an air of insincerity and perhaps the darker side to the character which I thought worked well.

Annabel Fox as Nancy was in fine voice acting her way through the production not afraid of showing her vulnerability and her volatile streak when pushed. Sid Robins as Bill Sykes intimidated the cast and audience with a booming voice – it was so apparent that this guy needs a severe dose of anger management! He held himself brilliantly not allowing his character to falter once.

Alan Jackson as Mr Bumble warmed into the Character and despite stumbling in his songs, “Oliver” and “Boy for Sale” he redeemed himself later on with some great scenes with Window Corney played by Paula Martin.

The ensemble did a sterling job – “Consider Yourself” being a particular highlight.

The staging was good and was carefully thought through with effective use of projection showing Oliver on the run from the Funeral Parlor to London Town. A lovely touch.